Arsenal Had 'Serious Conversations' with Mauricio Pochettino Before Mikel Arteta Landed the Job – Full Story + Arsenal Transfer News Today Live

In a revelation that has sent shockwaves through north London and beyond, fresh details from a major new book have confirmed that Arsenal held “serious conversations” with Mauricio Pochettino in late 2019 – just weeks after the Argentine was sacked by bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur. The bombshell comes from Telegraph journalist Sam Dean’s newly released book, Arsenal: The Inside Story of Arsenal’s Rebirth Under Mikel Arteta, which charts how the Gunners transformed from mid-table drift into Premier League champions.

This is the definitive arsenal news today deep dive into one of the most pivotal “what if” moments in modern Arsenal history, combined with the very latest arsenal transfer news today live as the champions look to strengthen their squad in the January window. Whether you’re searching for arsenal news transfer updates or the full background on how Mikel Arteta beat a star-studded shortlist, this article delivers the facts, context, and current implications.

The 2019 Managerial Search: How Close Did Pochettino Really Come?

Unai Emery was sacked by Arsenal in late November 2019 after a dismal run of results that left the club 10th in the Premier League table. Technical director Edu Gaspar immediately launched an intense recruitment process. According to Dean’s book, Edu interviewed six coaches with substantial experience. The only candidate who did not fit that mould was Mikel Arteta, then working as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City.

Remarkably, one of the names who advanced deep into serious discussions was Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine had been dismissed by Tottenham only around 10 days before Emery’s departure. Despite spending five highly successful years at Spurs – guiding them to three consecutive top-three Premier League finishes and the 2019 Champions League final – multiple sources told Dean that Pochettino “showed willingness to engage” with Arsenal.

Crossing the north London divide would have been seismic. No player has moved directly between the two clubs since William Gallas in 2010, and the last high-profile switch of that magnitude was Sol Campbell’s controversial move in 2001. Appointing the recently-sacked Spurs manager would have taken the rivalry into uncharted territory.

Other strong candidates on the shortlist included:

Roberto Martínez – then Belgium national team coach and a former Premier League manager with Wigan and Everton – who advanced a long way in the process.
Patrick Vieira – the Arsenal legend whose work at Nice had impressed the hierarchy.
Carlo Ancelotti
Julian Nagelsmann
Massimiliano Allegri
Vítor Pereira

Arteta’s lack of standalone managerial experience meant he was initially assessed separately from the more established names. Edu later described the process: “I interviewed six coaches, all of them with big experience. The only one who did not have big experience was Mikel.”

What changed everything was a long phone call between Edu and Arteta that lasted around an hour. They spoke about family, culture, and the project far more than pure football tactics. Edu recalled finishing the call as friends and arranging a face-to-face meeting at Arteta’s home. There, Arteta presented a detailed vision that left Edu stunned by how prepared the Spaniard already was – as if he had already been working inside the club.

Arsenal ultimately took the bold decision to appoint Arteta in December 2019. The rest is history.

Why Choosing Arteta Over Pochettino Proved Transformational

At the time, the appointment was widely viewed as a gamble. Arteta had never managed a first team. Pochettino, by contrast, had built an exciting young Tottenham side on limited resources and taken them to a Champions League final. Martínez brought proven international experience. Ancelotti and Allegri arrived with multiple league titles and Champions League pedigree.

Yet Arteta’s connection to the club as a former captain, his Guardiola apprenticeship, and his clear long-term vision aligned perfectly with Edu’s and the board’s desire for cultural reset and sustainable growth. The results speak for themselves.

Under Arteta, Arsenal climbed from 10th place to consistent title challengers. After three successive second-place finishes, the Gunners finally ended their 22-year Premier League drought by winning the 2025/26 title with a game to spare. Arteta became the first Arsenal manager since Arsène Wenger to lift the Premier League trophy. The side also reached a Champions League final, cementing their return to Europe’s elite.

Pochettino’s post-Tottenham path took him to Paris Saint-Germain, a difficult year at Chelsea, and then the United States men’s national team. While he remains highly regarded, the trajectory of Arsenal under Arteta has vindicated the club’s 2019 choice in spectacular fashion.

Interestingly, the personal relationship between Arteta and Pochettino has always been strong. The pair played together at Paris Saint-Germain in the early 2000s, with the younger Arteta later describing Pochettino as a “father figure” who looked after him. Arteta has publicly stated that he sought Pochettino’s advice before accepting the Arsenal job.

Arsenal Transfer News Today Live – October 2026 Updates

While the historical revelation dominates headlines, the present-day arsenal transfer news today live is equally compelling as the champions prepare for the January window and the defence of their title.

Barcelona Wonderkid Xavi Espart on Arsenal’s Radar

One of the hottest names linked with Arsenal right now is 19-year-old Barcelona versatile defender/midfielder Xavi Espart. The Spain under-21 international has impressed Hansi Flick and signed a new contract until 2030 that includes a release clause reported at over €100 million.

Both Arsenal and Tottenham have watched Espart live and compiled detailed scouting reports. Arsenal’s interest is logical: Arteta prioritises technically gifted, multi-positional players who can build from the back and invert into midfield. Espart fits that profile perfectly. Barcelona, however, view him as a strategic long-term asset and are not expected to entertain offers below a very high threshold.

Viktor Gyökeres Future in Doubt

Striker Viktor Gyökeres, signed for a significant fee from Sporting CP, has been linked with a possible January exit. Reports suggest limited first-team opportunities have left the Sweden international open to a move. Atletico Madrid have previously shown interest. Arsenal will carefully weigh whether to cash in or keep the powerful forward as competition and squad depth.

Other Key Targets and Rumours

Additional names featuring in the latest arsenal news transfer reports include:

Kevin Schade of Brentford – Arsenal and Liverpool both monitoring the Germany international.
Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich – defensive reinforcement interest amid injury concerns.
Antonio Nusa and other young attacking talents.
Ongoing monitoring of high-profile forwards such as Julian Alvarez.

Leandro Trossard has also been linked with a possible move to Turkish side Besiktas, with talks described as advanced in some reports.

Arsenal’s approach under Arteta and the recruitment team remains clear: target high-ceiling young players who fit the tactical system, maintain wage discipline, and strengthen depth without disrupting the dressing-room culture that delivered the 2025/26 title.

What This Means for Arsenal’s Future

The Pochettino revelation serves as a powerful reminder of how fine the margins are at the highest level. A different decision in December 2019 could have sent Arsenal down an entirely different path. Instead, the club backed a young coach with a clear vision, invested patiently in recruitment, and reaped the rewards of Premier League silverware after more than two decades.

As reigning champions, Arsenal now face the challenge of turning one title into sustained dominance. The January window will be critical for addressing any remaining squad weaknesses while protecting the balance that has served them so well.

Fans searching for arsenal news today or arsenal transfer news today live should keep a close eye on the Espart situation and any developments around Gyökeres. Both stories have the potential to shape the second half of the season.

Key Takeaways for Arsenal Supporters

Arsenal did hold serious talks with Mauricio Pochettino in 2019 shortly after his Tottenham sacking.
Pochettino was open to the move despite the fierce rivalry.
Mikel Arteta was the bold, lower-profile choice who has delivered the club’s first Premier League title in 22 years.
Current transfer focus centres on young, high-potential players such as Xavi Espart while managing senior squad situations like Gyökeres.
The culture and long-term project prioritised in 2019 continue to guide Arsenal’s decision-making today.

This story is still developing. As more extracts from Sam Dean’s book emerge and the January transfer window approaches, expect further details and fresh links. For the most accurate and up-to-date arsenal news transfer coverage, stay locked in here at Football transfer news.

Arsenal’s journey from the uncertainty of late 2019 to Premier League champions under Arteta remains one of the most compelling modern football narratives. The knowledge that Pochettino was a realistic alternative only makes the eventual success sweeter for Gunners fans.

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